Wilson Responds to Report He Tried to Have Carroll Fired

The quarterback denies any animosity between he and his former coach.

On Friday, The Athletic reported that Russell Wilson asked the Seahawks to fire both coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider last February. That appeared to be the last straw for the organization, as Seattle traded Wilson to the Broncos later that offseason.

However, the Denver quarterback denies that the report is true. On Twitter, Wilson explained that he appreciated his time in Seattle and has no ill will towards Carroll or Schneider.

“I love Pete and he was a father figure to me and John believed in me and drafted me as well. I never wanted them fired. All any of us wanted was to win,” he wrote. “l’ll always have respect for them and love for Seattle.” 

Wilson’s attorney also denied the report, telling The Athletic that it is “entirely fabricated.”

According to The Athletic, Wilson felt that Carroll and Schneider hadn’t collectively done enough to maximize Seattle’s chances at winning, along with his chance at personal awards. Additionally, the report claims that Wilson and Carroll did not speak before the Broncos and Seahawks played each other in Week 1 of the 2022 season.

To replace Carroll, Wilson wanted Seattle to hire Sean Payton. He is now Wilson’s coach in Denver after the Broncos fired Nathaniel Hackett during the 2022 season.

The Seahawks traded Wilson and a fourth-round pick to Denver for multiple first- and second-round picks, a fifth-round pick, Drew Lock, Noah Fant and Shelby Harris. In 2022, the Broncos disappointed with a 5–12 record, while the Seahawks made the playoffs at 9–8 behind Comeback Player of the Year Geno Smith at quarterback.